Did You Hear The Story About My Bandages?

I didn't get a chance to wrap up my final days of the State Fair of Texas thanks to an unexpected hospital visit. I've been resting up all week on the couch, but it will be a 6-8 week recovery for my wounds to heal. What happened? Well, read on after I photo dump my final days at the fair for you:

In previous years, I have indulged in the soft serve.  This year, I only had one cone.....

My State Fair of Texas boyfriend, Julian, AKA my co-worker's son!  He greeted me with a "Burtt" every day, it was kind of awesome being one of his favorites.  

This was my co-host's favorite activity, jumping the Traxxas truck over me during the show.  I do my own stunts!

The best thing I ate at the fair, Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie.  Yum!

What is going on with my hair in this photo?

A great reminder that if you eat too much fried food in Texas, you wind up as big as this:

We had an early Halloween party the last week we were there.  Matt and I made a quick trip to CVS.

So, Toyota Live went as CVS witches.  I actually love this photo.

My CVS purchases:  my hat, my cup, and my Peanuts purse.

The start of the show!

Last night in Texas.....and a trip to the emergency room.  The waitress at the hotel accidentally dumped a catering tray of hot water on my legs.  I knew it was bad when I stood up and dropped and F-bomb as I am not someone who swears that much.  I then tried to remove my jeans in the middle of the bar....uh, yeah, the pain was that bad.   My left foot and calf all wrapped up.  

And my right thigh all wrapped up.  I wound up with 2nd degree burns.  Not a fun way to end my trip, but I am going to be okay.  I was so bored waiting for the doctor that I tweeted much of my hospital visit. (Go back to October 23rd if you want all of the morbid details.) A big thanks to everyone who pitched in to help that night:  Matt, Kyle, Tina, Josh, Evan, Carolina, Christina (Tina), and Jessica.  I appreciate it!

The hotel staff all heard about the big incident the night before and one of the valet staff made me a balloon flower while I waited for the airport car service.  I couldn't wait to get home.  

A big thanks to my agents at Productions Plus who sent me this beautiful bouquet.  It looks great in my dining room. 

My Top 3 Travel Tips

It's no secret that I travel a lot for work.  Two weeks to a month on the road are not uncommon for me, so it's always important for me to be comfortable when I am away from home.  On my recent trip to Paris, I realized I needed to amend some of my U.S. travel rules.  Here's what I learned:

1.  Luggage:  Take your big suitcase and put it back in the closet.  If you are going to Europe, chances are you will be taking a lot of public transportation.  It is easier to drag around a medium to small-sized suitcase versus your big, oversized American suitcase.  If you wind up buying lots of gifts and go overboard on the shopping, then you can buy an extra bag for the trip home.  I wish I had my medium suitcase after lugging my big suitcase through the umpteenth train turnstile.  I always like a gym workout, but not with my suitcase as my dead weight.

Yes, there will be a shoe post coming soon. I bought 3 pairs in Paris and these are the beautiful Repetto shoes I coveted. 

2.  Shoes:  Unless you are going on a 5-star vacation, leave your Carrie Bradshaw heels at home.  Pack your flats and your sneakers and get ready to hike around the city.  Don't decide to break in your new shoes on the trip, you will regret it later.  In fact, my flats didn't even make it home from Paris.  They were so worn out by the end of the trip that I threw them out.  I left my flip flops in China in 2005 and my sneakers in Costa Rica in 2009, it's a good way to make room in your suitcase for the trip home.

3.  Sleep:  My trip essentials always include my sleep mask, a travel blanket, and ear plugs for a restful sleep.  I travel way too much and I find it is easier to make it dark, quiet, and cozy with these three items.  I don't need to go into the germ factor about hotel blankets, so bring your own.  It's small and easy to use at the hotel and on the plane.  The best eye masks and blankets are made by Nap and are available at any Brookstone store. (According to a Sherman Oaks Brookstone employee, they are discontinuing this line. Be sure to stock up while you can!)  My earplugs were purchased in a value pack from CVS.  If I lose a set, there is always a back up available.  Some hotels have thin walls, so you will appreciate a little soundproofing from time to time.

Those are my top 3 travel tips from my recent jaunt to Paris.  I did really well with Tips #2 and #3, but failed miserably with Tip #1.   Do you have any good travel tips to add?  Share them with me in the comments below:

The Truth About (my) Halloween

Okay, I know I am going to get a few snarky comments about what I'm about to say:  I don't like Halloween.  I don't mind handing out candy and I certainly don't mind eating the candy, but the holiday makes me want to go into hiding from October 31st until November 1st.  I hate to be such a grinch, but I don't want to dress up.  It has become such a big deal for adults, the parties have gotten bigger and bigger each year, and the costumes more elaborate and expensive.  The holiday drops at a really busy time of year for me and I just don't find it fun (for me).  For you, I know it is your favorite of the year.

Yesterday, the crew that has been with me for the last 23 days in Dallas wanted to throw a pre-Halloween bash.  I cringed at having to come up with a costume until a co-worker came up with some fantastic and cheap "play on words" costume ideas:
      -Nickelback:  The band or a nickel taped to your back.
      -Quarterback:  A football player or you guessed it, a quarter taped on your back.
      -Babysitter:  A really hot girl to take care of your kids or a baby doll attached to your behind.
      -Condiment:  A delicious topping on your cheeseburger or a condom + mints pinned to your t-shirt.  
                            (This was one was used last night, see photo below)
      -Smarty Pants:  Someone who thinks they know it all or a bunch of Smarties candies pinned to your
                               jeans.  (And, bingo!  I found my costume.)

Your Condiment or Condom + Mint

For $4.17 for Smarties candies and a few safety pins at CVS, I had a costume.  It took me about 10 minutes to strategically pin my candies, put on my new cute shoes, and I was out the door!  Of course, someone guessed my costume was "Smart Ass".  Okay, that works too!  The real costumes that walked in the door were really creative from a piñata to Snooki to the Double Rainbow guy.  Everyone had a good time, no one yelled at me for not having a costume, and people asked for a sampling of Smarties all night. I just unpinned them and my costume got lighter as the evening went along.  Everyone loves Smarties candies!

This is about as Halloween as I get.

Now, I am not a total Bah Humbug on this. I want to hear what you are doing for Halloween. Let me know and don't worry, if you ring my doorbell, I have a ton of candy to share.  Trick or Treat!